The Supreme Court of Liberia has summoned Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi in response to a petition from suspended lawmakers regarding their frozen salaries. The lawmakers argue that their suspension was unconstitutional and exceeded the authority of the Majority Bloc. They emphasize that withholding their salaries violates their legal entitlements and due process rights, citing prior court rulings. The government’s response is due by March 10, 2025, with significant implications for Liberia’s governance.
In a significant legal development, the Supreme Court of Liberia, represented by Justice Ceaineh D. Clinton Johnson, has summoned Minister of Finance Augustine Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi. They are required to respond to a petition filed by suspended lawmakers whose salaries have been frozen since October 2024. Among the petitioners are lawmakers Abu Kamara, Marvin Cole, Frank Saah FoKo, Edward Papee Flomo, Alex Sunnyboy Noah, and Eugene Kollie, who argue that the salary freeze was unconstitutional.
The petition highlights that the suspended lawmakers were duly elected and took their oaths of office in January 2024. The legislators contend that their suspension was executed beyond the legitimate authority of the Majority Bloc, led by Speaker Richard Koon, particularly as these actions occurred without the constitutionally elected Speaker, Fonati Koffa, present. This argument is bolstered by a prior Supreme Court ruling that deemed the Majority Bloc’s actions invalid under such conditions.
The lawmakers assert that withholding their salaries is a serious infringement of their constitutional rights and due process. “The withholding of our salaries is a blatant violation of the constitutional principles that guarantee due process and fairness,” they claim, emphasizing that it undermines both governmental integrity and their legal entitlements as elected representatives.
Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbessay has reiterated that the Majority Bloc’s decisions concerning the lawmakers’ suspension and the appointment of a new speaker are illegal absent the elected Speaker’s participation, urging the need to adhere to constitutional norms. This stance provides further momentum to the minority bloc, advocating for the enforcement of the Supreme Court’s earlier decision.
Minister Ngafuan and Comptroller Kopi are expected to submit their formal responses to these allegations by March 10, 2025, explaining why the writ of mandamus should not be enforced against them. Their forthcoming submissions will be evaluated based on merit before a final ruling is issued. The resolution of this case could have profound consequences for Liberia’s legislative framework, particularly amid the ongoing power struggles within the House of Representatives.
The summons of Finance Minister Augustine Ngafuan and House Comptroller Emmanuel Kopi by the Supreme Court signifies the gravity of the situation regarding the frozen salaries of suspended lawmakers. These legislators contest the legality of their suspension and argue for their constitutional rights. With significant implications for Liberia’s governance at stake, the upcoming responses to the petition will be pivotal in determining the country’s legislative integrity moving forward.
Original Source: frontpageafricaonline.com
